2008 Cayenne S arrive today 'from the auction'. Only problem I found is the check engine light for a stuck open thermostat. I do smell a little bit of coolant when the car does heat up, but it might be related. Will be changing the thermostat and water pump. Car has 116k miles.

One other thing I noticed, is I feel some vibrations in the steering wheel when trying to move it while stopped, can also hear some noise when moving. Is this common on the Cayenne. Steering pump going?

 

Do you have the Servotronic steering option? There should be a build sheet under the cargo floor cover. Top left if I remember right, with a list of three-digit codes that show all of the factory options. Servotronic is code "1N3".

 

According to this: yes

9PA-AH1 Cayenne S $57,900
0TD Front & Rear Flr Mats Int Clr $140
1D6 Trailer Hitch w/o Hitch Ball $630
1N3 Variable Assist Power Steering $270
1NP Wheel Hub Covers Colored Crest $185
3FE Moonroof $1,190
3J7 Porsche Crest in Headrest $270
3Y4 Roll up Sunscreen-1/4 Windows $190
4F6 Porsche Entry and Drive $995
7A2 6 Disc CD Changer $650
9VL Bose Surround Sound System $1,665
CJ3 19" Cayenne Design Wheel $1,200
NQ Black Full Leather $3,170
PC3 Bi-Xenon Headlights w/ Washers $1,560
PF1 PCM 2.1 $3,070
PH4 Dark Wood Package w/Lever $1,385
PK1 Front Seat Heater inc Str Whl $560
PO4 Light Comfort Package/Memory $610
PPB Preferred Package Plus $8,490
QV4 Satellite Radio XM $750
Z4 Basalt Black Metallic $690

 

Pop the fuse out for servotronic and the steering feel improves dramatically. I've sucked out the fluid on mine and replaced, might be worth a try. Absolutely no vibrations ever with my 09 except for a set of wheels that needed balancing.

Mark

 

will try that. I haven't driven it yet, but the vibration I am talking about is when I am standing not moving, and trying to move the steering wheel. To me if feel more like a pump issue.

 

You'll feel a bit of vibration from the Servotronic system if you turn the wheel too fast while stationary or at slow speeds. Try turning the wheel slowly and see if you still have the vibration. It's normal with Servotronic; basically you're overpowering it a bit if you turn the wheel too quickly. As Mark mentioned, pull the fuse for the system and see if you still have the vibration.

 

Should mention that there is a weird noise coming from the area where the steering pump is too.

 

Weird noises are standard with these v8's it seems. I am hunting for a whine that sounds like a power steering whine, but my Tandem punp is new and guru flushed... it seems to be on the driver side and seems like it is coming from the cam extension on the cover. But... I am now hearing a slightly worse noise that clears up on the 10-15 second mark each cold start. So thinking fans or AC compressor. You can search for my thread "help identify sound".
HTH.
update: yes having heard your video aloud, it seems like the same noise I am chasing. I have been suggested to slqck and remove the serp belt and check. It is 18° here so havent done that yet... lol

 

I assume you are talking about the background hum, as the ticking is the fuel injectors and is normal. Get one of those mechanics stethoscopes and see if you can pinpoint where the noise is coming from. It does sound a little off to me, but I have the 4.5 and am not familiar with the 4.8.

 

I plan on removing the belt when the thermostat and new water pump comes in. Got under the car yesterday and and the noise is the loudest around the AC compressor. Even touching the AC compressor with my hand i feel weird knocking etc. It's def. one of the two things steering pump or ac compressor. It also cold for the next week here, so probably won't touch anything until next weekend.

 

Yes, I know the ticking is normal. same as my 981 S, the hum in the background doesn't come through video that well, but it's def there. I can hearing standing 10 feet behind the car.

 

I've never heard a Cayenne that doesn't whine like that when cold. Do a search going back 20 years, and you'll find people being told by dealerships that it's perfectly normal.
If it doesn't quiet down after driving a few miles, it may be time for a new power steering reservoir and fluid change.

 

Thanks for the tip.. Will def make sure to wait until it warms up before trying to replace any parts.

 

I pulled the fuse for the Servotronic system - love the way the steering wheel feels now, but unfortunately the noise is still there.